So yeah, I'm a total liar. I said that this was a one shot, but then I got some wicked fanart from denebtenoh! It was the first art for a story of mine, and it was so pretty and awesome! And she wanted more, so here it is! I hope you like it, and thank you again for the awesome piece of art! I loved it! You guys want to see it? Well here you are, just remove the spaces!

http : /denebtenoh . deviantart . com/#/d2uow5h

Awesome right? Enjoy!

"How the hell do you have the flu?" Lightning said, slipping the thermometer out of his mouth and glaring at the number. She sighed when she saw the number flashing, shaking the thing and putting it beside the bed. "You're well over one hundred. I still don't understand how you got the flu."

Hope growled, peeking out from under the numerous blankets he had cocooned himself in, "It's not like I wanted it! Besides, you were the one who coughed on me."

"I also said not to whine. And this is the flu, not a cold."

Hope rolled his eyes before disappearing under the blankets again, "Doesn't matter, I still blame you." he said, voice muffled under the mountain of warmth. Taking a deep breath to keep her frustration in check, she reached for the bottom of the blanket mountain and ripped them all up, exposing Hope. He yelped and tried to take them back from her, only to fall pathetically back to the bed in exhaustion. He groaned, running a hand through his messy locks, before pressing the pillow to his face.

"Trying to smother yourself?" Lightning asked lightly, although she was already reaching for her bag. When she had gotten the call that Hope was sick, she was...worried. Not that she'd let anyone know. That would put a dent in her image, make the others think she'd gone too soft. But when Serah had given her the bag of medicines when she announced she suddenly had to go out, she had a feeling her mask hadn't quite been in place.

Hope had a tendency to do that to her.

"Take this, it will help you feel a little better." she said, pulling out a potion and trying to make him sit up. He grumbled, trying to push her away before letting out a series of strong coughs. It wracked his body, making him hunch over and try to lessen the pain, and he let his head fall limply to his side when they finally stopped. Lightning sighed, but the worry in her eyes was evident, even if she tried to hide it with frustration and anger.

"Always have to take it the extra mile Hope?" she tried, sitting him up again. He gave her a weak smile, trying to reach for the blankets.

"I was going to one up you sooner or later Light..." he said, eyes drooping. She bit her lip and uncorked the potion, tilting his head slightly.

"Come on Hope. Just...drink a little."

"Kay..." He blinked at her, eyes unfocused as she tilted the potion in his mouth. He sputtered slightly before drinking it down, giving another groan once the thing was gone. "Freezing..." he mumbled, reaching for the blankets.

"No Hope. You just have the chills. Blankets would be a bad idea."

"I'm cold!" he whined, rolling away from her and reaching for the blankets again. She yanked him away, ignoring his whimper, and forced him back on the bed.

"You can have one blanket. Only one." She grabbed one of the blankets off the floor and handed it to him, watching as he quickly wrapped it around himself. He groaned, pressing harder against his pillow and shivering like crazy.

"Still cold."

"No you aren't Hope." She sat beside the bed and swept his bangs out of his face, the sweat from his forehead making them cling to his skin, "You're sweating a lot...I'll be back." She rose before he could respond, but Hope could hear the sound of running water a few seconds later. She returned with a rag in her hands, folding it neatly before laying it across his forehead. Hope flinched at the touch, letting out a hiss.

"Too cold!" he cried, tossing it off.

"Hope..."

But he continued to thrash around in his bed, quickly becoming entangled by the blankets. Lightning reached over to stop him and his delirious frenzy, grabbing his wrists and pinning them to the bed before he could hurt himself. She loomed over him, giving him the most intimidating glare she could muster. "You are sick Hope. Very sick. You are going to stay in bed, take whatever medicine I give you, only use one blanket, and keep that cold compress on your head, got it? I don't want to hear you whining because of some cold and what the hell is so funny!"

Hope just grinned at her, eyes glazed over, and he lifted his head so that their faces were only inches apart, "Light...Light! Look, look what position we're in! I didn't know you wanted to go there Light." Lightning raised an eyebrow before she checked her position, eyes widening in horror. She pushed herself away from him, her cheeks on fire, and she was secretly glad that Hope seemed to out of it to notice.

"My, my Light!" he continued, cackling, "I didn't know you'd take advantage of a sick person like that. I mean, you always seemed so proper." He sat up and gave her a goofy smile, tilting his head from side to side. He giggled, putting a hand to his mouth, and leaning in. "But if you ask me, it's pretty sexy! I mean, just think about it! Not like I'd say no!" Hope fell back, laughing his ass off, but it quickly turned into coughs, the harsh sound echoing in the room. It was the only thing that kept Light from maiming him.

"Hope, I'm going to-"

"You're so pretty Light." he said, smiling once he was sure his coughing has stopped, "I love it when you're holding me. Even if it's all dominatrix like." Lightning sighed and sat more comfortably on the bed, pushing Hope back down as he made to rise. She looked away, not wanting the sick Hope to see her blush. Why did he have to say things like that? It made her face get all hot and her heart would start beating like crazy. It was...weird to have him say it. But at the same time..she kind of liked it.

She gasped when she felt his arms wrap around her. His hot breath ghosted her neck, making her shiver, and he giggled again. "Should I call you ma'am?"

Lightning felt her eye twitch, quickly reminded that Hope was sick, and shoved him back into bed, wrapping the blankets around him. She grabbed the bag by the bed and took out another vial of medicine. "This should relieve your symptoms." she said dryly, lifting his head up and forcing the liquid down. Hope gave another cough before laying back in bed, staring at her. "Go to sleep." she ordered. Before I kill you. She added in her head.

"Okay..." He forced his hands out of the blanket, spreading his arms wide and smiling, "But I want a hug!"

"What?"

"Hug!" he said, still giggling like mad. "Hug! Hug! C'mon, you know you want to Light!"

"No Hope. You're delirious and I might catch your illness. Just go to sleep."

"Please?" He blinked his shining green eyes at her, face the perfect shade of pink, and his lip formed a pout, "I want a hug."

I will not give in. I know better than that! He's just sick and delirious and he won't remember any of this. I don't care how much he bats his eyes, or how cute he looks when he pouts! I'm a soldier dammit! Immune to all of that-

"Please Claire. I promise, just one hug? I'll go to-to sleep..." His eyes started to drop, Hope finally passing out, but Lightning stopped him before he could hit the bed. Her face was beet red as she hugged him, the man's body limp in her arms, and she could feel the heat pouring out of him

"How do you do that..." she whispered as she gently lowered him to the pillows, tucking him in the bed. She bit her lip, looking around as if someone was watching before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

She stood and stretched, grabbing the bag and preparing to call Serah. She knew she didn't have to stay...but really, what kind of caretaker would she be if she didn't? She had to make sure he'd be okay during the night after all. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

Not that she believed it.